Lange FR 120 replacements

G'day all!
I'm toying with the idea of replacing my Lange FR 120's but have had trouble with other boots because I seem to have somewhat narrow heels and/or ankles.
My shoe size is 10.5 D so I think the rest of my feet are fairly normal fit.
I'd prefer a heat moldable liner and a shell that can be adjusted for a performance oriented fit right out of the box. Also, my calf muscles are mounted a little low so interference with the rear spoiler is an issue for me as well.
Can some kind bears point me toward other boot models that might be similiar in fit to my current Langes? FWIW I'm pretty impressed with the Nordica line because of their features and build quality.
Cheers,
2planks

Hey Colin....My Lange's are two season's old now and the left still fits very well but the right has loosened up a bit around the ankle bone and lower calf area. I'm assuming it has packed out some. I realize I could have bought them too big but my left boot still fits very well, plus I'm still using the original buckle set-up which I don't recall changing at all. With RECALL being the operative word there.
In my initial post I failed to mention a severe high ankle sprain on the left side which rendered it permanately larger around the ankle bone so I'm thinking it just fits the shell better than the right one. I'm going to Killington next week and will try to see if I can have a bootfitter add some padding to the right boot liner. Should that not solve this issue I'll be researching new boots in earnest.
Also, one reason I'm interested in the Nordica models is because my wife recently went from a Lange Comp 120 to a Nordica Olympia Beast 10 with good results. Plus we both seem to need a narrow heel pocket and low to medium volume boot fit.

Also...thanks Mtnlion! I'll keep your reccomendations in mind....especially if I end up shopping for a new pair.

Hey Matt,
The size of the shell is 10 and I'd have to say the 10.5D is weighed but I'm guessing.
The shells are in pretty good shape. And, yes the liner replacement idea is something I've given thought to....but I was thinking of foam injected type. Is that the Zipfit liners? Have you had any experience with those?
Cheers,
2planks

Sounds like you might be oversized, but you need some careful length/width measurements of your foot, both unweighted and weighted.

The usual rule of thumb with Lange is to downsize 1 to 1.5 full sizes from your weighted Brannock measurement. That of course depends on foot volume, stability (spread), and skier preference .

If your shell size check is acceptable (1 to 1.5 fingers behind the heel), then simply going with a new liner is a reasonable idea.

If you need a touch more volume taken up (compared to the stock Lange liner), I like the Fischer/Nordica/Atomic liners. Plus, depending on your instep height and general foot volume, you can also put a full length bontex shim (@ 2-3 mm) on the boot board, under your liner.

I'm not a big fan of injected liners in Lange shells, but if you're on the edge of being oversized, you might consider it. Before you go spending that kind of money, I would have a good bootfitter check you in a size 9 shell.

Hey again Matt!
I tried going down from a 28.5 to a 28.0 but one foot was just to tight so the discomfort made me think the 28.5 was the correct size. I don't know if it makes any difference but the Lange FR 120 I have is the green model from several years ago. Do you know what the width of the last is for this model?
I'm fairly certain I did the empty shell fit check but I'll try it again just to be certain. I seem to remember 1.5 fingers....
With the price of the options for liners and the year-end sales going on now it almost seems logical to buy new boots. Do you have any feed back for me with regard to comparable fitting boot models? I'm wondering about the Nordica Speedmachine 12/14's and Head Raptor RS 120's....or perhaps some current model Lange models?
Thanks very much again for your help!
2planks

Hey again Matt!
I tried going down from a 28.5 to a 28.0 but one foot was just to tight so the discomfort made me think the 28.5 was the correct size. I don't know if it makes any difference but the Lange FR 120 I have is the green model from several years ago. Do you know what the width of the last is for this model?
I'm fairly certain I did the empty shell fit check but I'll try it again just to be certain. I seem to remember 1.5 fingers....
With the price of the options for liners and the year-end sales going on now it almost seems logical to buy new boots. Do you have any feed back for me with regard to comparable fitting boot models? I'm wondering about the Nordica Speedmachine 12/14's and Head Raptor RS 120's....or perhaps some current model Lange models?
Thanks very much again for your help!
2planks

You need to double check your shell sizing for sure - just so you know where you're at.

I tried going down from a 28.5 to a 28.0 but one foot was just to tight so the discomfort made me think the 28.5 was the correct size.

????????
on that model of boot [and 99% or others] the 28 and 28.5 are exactly the same size, same shell, same liner [possibly but not often different footbed] sounds like something strange is going on

as Matt has said time to check the shell size /check and clarify where you are at.

Hey again all!
I just got back from my 4 day weekend at the Big K and wanted to update you on my findings. I checked the shell fit and as far as I could tell it is indeed too large....my guesstimate is about 1" clearance. Maybe more. As I don't like the "finger" method, especially the middle kind, I'll use fractions of an inch for the following. If a boot guy says you've only got one finger clearance while holding his middle one in an upright position it's probably time to go don't ya think?
It's warping my cranial matter that I've got this difference in fit between my feet. One bootfitter told me my feet are low to medium volume and characterized them as "non-noteworthy" meaning without any significant irregularities. Which he said was a good thing....only noting the slightly larger calf area of the left foot.
Another boot guy only had an additional comment about me having a longer middle toe on both feet. They both measured my weighed size to be just a tad under 28 but because of those damn middle toes going down to a 27.5 might not be an option.
Now granted, the boot selection is very slim this time of year so I couldn't try on a lot of models but of the ones I did the 28's seemd to work best. I found the Fischer Progressor and Nordica Speedmachine 14 the most comfortable right out of the box. At one point I had a Speedmachine(28.0) on one foot and Lange WC 120(28.0) on the other but the Lange seemd like so much less boot with a flex that seemed dull. That probably doesn't make a lotta sense but it's my story....sorry mtnlion. FWIW the shell check of the Speedmachines was about 3/4".
Based on my limited experience of the past weekend I'd take a pair of the Nordica's in a heartbeat. I didn't pull the trigger though because I coudln't try it on in the 27.5 size and the price was more than I really wanted to spend. The right side in this boot also seemed to have a hair more room than the left and the boot tech suggested it may prove to me an issue I'll have to deal regardless of the boot model. He thought it could be addressed by inserting a shim between the boot board and the liner or by using some padding over the liner to take up some of the volume.
He was pretty fair with me saying that we could try these fixes on my exisiting Langes but I'll tell you what....after having those comfy slippies from Nordica on my feet the Langes seem like a step or two down.
Please forgive my making a short story quite long....
Thanks again guys!
Cheers,
2planks

Thanks for the advice mtnlion....much appreciated!
Being that the 27.5 is the thinner liner of the two I'm thinking the pack-out will actually equate to less play around my feet. And, since the 28 was fairly snug perhaps the 27.0 is a little too far down unless I want a real race fit so therefore all day comfort might be out of the question.
Does this reasoning make sense to you? There aren't a lot of these boots floating around right now but there are some 27 and 27.5 available.

Within a short amount of skiing time the 27 or 27.5 will fit identically. really won't matter. Big issue for you is to determine 27 shell or 28. Sounds to me as if 27 is way to go, but it may require some work for toe room.

Thanks Lou, that's exactly what I wanted to know!
I don't plan to do anything until I've had a chance to check the 27 shell for sure. I'm wondering if the Nordica Supercharger Blower is an option for me as well? From what I know it doesn't have as many bells and whistles....but the flex is not as stiff which is not that big a difference. Correct? Or is the fit not as performance oriented?
Should I get a chance to try on some of the Dobermanns I'll give them a go also but most of those have a very stiff flex index except for the 110's.
Cheers...2planks